Paperhanger&#39;s folding box and table



May 16, 1944. F, E, EDGREN 2,349,148

PAPRHANGERS AFOLDING BOX AND TABLE /fff May 16, 1944. F. E. EDGREN PAPERHANGER'S FOLDING Box AND TABLE Filed Nov. 4, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 16, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFCE PAPERHANGER.S FOLDING BOX AND TABLE 3 Claims.

My invention relates to a folding paperhangers box which, when in open and set-up condition, may be used as a paste table by the paperhanger in trimming wall paper and applying paste thereto; the box in collapsed or closed condition being adapted to receive the paperhangers usual implements.

The paperhangers, in trimming wall paper, employ one section of the folding box in conjunc tion with a straightedge; the trimming of the cut strip of wall paper being performed within an inch or two from the outer longitudinal side of said table or box section, with the result that the table section or board soon becomes scored adjacent one longitudinal side and true or proper trimming of the wall paper can then no longer be accomplished.

As these tables are more or less expensive, it is essential that these folding boxes be so constructed that the comparatively narrow scored portion, namely a longitudinal marginal portion of the box, be readily removable for reversing and ultimate renewing. It is desirable in tables of this character to employ a grainless wood which, if used for the entire folding box, or for the entire top of one section of the folding box table, even though such top section was removable, would be too expensive, as the trimming operation is performed within a comparatively narrow longitudinal area of a few inches in width adjacent an outer longitudinal side or edge of the table-forming box.

My present invention contemplates forming the top of one of the box-sections of separate boards or elements having interengaging relation with each other along their contacting edges; the top 'being provided with surrounding rails whereby the boards are reenforced and held against warping and movement, preferably with one of the side rails mounted so that it may be moved out of holding relation with the adjacent top-board to permit the latter to be readily moved out of interengaging relation with its adjacent topbcard and said rst mentioned board reversed or replaced by a board of similar character. As the paper trimming operation is conned to a comparatively narrow marginal area, I propose providing the table-box at the outer longitudinal portion of one of the sections with a relatively narrow board of grainless wood, such as bass wood or other suitable material, thereby decreasing the cost of construction and maintenance.

The objects and advantages of my invention will all be readily comprehended from the following description of the accompanying drawings, wherein-- Figure 1 is a top plan view of my improved folding box or table.

Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional View, taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is an enlarged side elevation as Viewed on the line 3 3 of Figure l with an intermediate portion broken away and showing the outer side rail swung downwardly.

Figure 4 is a cross sectional View of a portion of one section of the folding box or table illustrating a modification.

Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of another modification of my improved box-table.

Figure 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional View taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 5 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 7 is a similar View of a portion of one section illustrating the manner of removing the trimming strip.

As previously stated, my invention contemplates a paper hangers paste box or trimming table of a collapsible or folding nature which may be supported by a` suitable pedestal or trestle which may be hingedly secured to the inner or lower side of the box-table to fold within the box or be detachable therefrom. In the exemplifications of the invention, the box or table is shown preferably composed of wood and in the particular embodiment shown in the nrst three figures the box or table consists of two main sections I0 and II which are six or more feet in length and each of equal width to combinedly provide a table of width in keeping with the needs of the paperhanger.'

In the illustration, Figure 1, for the sake o f economy, the section II is intended to be employed for trimming while the section IIl constitutes the cover when the table is in closed or box-like form, although it will be understood that both sections may be of similar construction. The section I0 is shown with a single cover or top board I2 of preselected length and width, surrounded by a rectangular frame composed of the two side rails I3, I3 and the two end rails I4, I4, which, preferably, are of equal depth and may be intimately or immovably connected with each other and with the top board I2; the tops of the rails being arranged in the plane of the top or outer surface of the board I2, as shown at the right in Figure The section II is provided with a top consisting of boards I5 and IB of equal length but of edge is difficult and true trimming of the wallpaper made impossible. For that reason, the strip or board I6 is removably associated with the board I by means of the tongue-and-groove disposed throughout the contiguous longitudinal provided with a butterfly-nut, thus obviating the necessity for any special tools.

If, after considerable use, the top surface of strip or board I6 becomes too scored to permit accurate trimming to be performed, the paperhanger may quickly remedy the condition-without the necessity of discarding the table and the purchase of a new tableby simply releasing the butterfly nut and withdrawing the bolt 26 thereby releasing the rail I8 from the -bent end of the cleat 2i) which permits the side rail to swing into the downward position shown in dotted lines l in Figure 2. In this position, the trimming board or strip I6 may be readily moved out of interengaging relation with the board I5 and either l reversed end-for-end (as the beads or tongues edges as shown at II, see Figure 2. The top portions of boards I5, I6 of table section II are also surrounded by end rails Ill, I4, inner side rail I3 and outer side rail I8, with the tops of the rails arranged in the plane of the top or outer surfaces of boards I5 and I6; the rails all being of equal depth and preferably of the same depth as the rails of the other section I0 in order that the combined depth of the rails of both sections I0 and II, when in back-to-back or folded relation, will provide a box of sufficient depth to receive the paperhangers usual tools as well as a suitable supporting trestle.

In order to permit the strip or board I6 to be easily removed when desired, the outer longitudinal side rail I8 is shown hingedly connected at I9, at its inner lower edge, to the reenforcing strips or cleats 2! disposed transversely alongthe lower sides of both sections I9, II, the ends of the cleats 20, adjacent the inner side rails I3, I3, being bent downward against the rails into suitable grooves in the lower faces of the rails I3, with the adjacent ends of aligned cleats bent into hinge and pin receiving loops, as shown at 2|, so as to permit back-to-back folding of the two sections with the lower edges of the rails of the 'two sections in superposed relation. The board I2 of section I0 and the board I5 of section II are preferably secured to the respective cleats by small screws, as shown at 22, but which do not extend through the boards; the removable strip or board I5 preferably being unattached. to the cleats which, however, provide transverse reenforcement or support for all the boards.

In order to properly hold the outer longitudinal edge of board I6, the outer side rail I8 is shown provided with a groove 23, adapted to receive the longitudinally disposed rib 2li on board I6, see Figure 2; the rib 24 being similar to the rib extending longitudinally at the opposite side edge of the board I6, as shown at I'I in Figure 2, thus enabling the strip or board I5 to be reversed end for end or turned over when occasion requires, to provide a new or scoreless paper trimming area.

One leaf of the hinge I9 may be suitably secured to the adjacent cleat 20, or it may con- Sist of a portion of the cleat, while the other leaf of the hinge is preferably arranged in a 'groove in the lower edge of the side rail I8 and suitably secured thereto by a screw or screws, shown at` in Figure 2.

The movable side rail I8 is held in normal position by one or more bolts 26 disposed through registering holes in the rail I8 and the downwardly bent end of the cleat 29; the head of the bolt preferably being countersunk in the side rail, while the inner end of the bolt is shown 211 are similar along both side edges of the strip I6) to present the other longitudinal margin portion of the strip I6 toward rail I8, into the paper trimming zone, or the strip II turned upside-down to present the lower face in the trimlming zone.

As is apparent, these possibilities greatly enhance the useful life of the trimming table without increased expense.

With the hinge-forming ends at the downturned portions of the cleats arranged in grooves on the lower surfaces of the side rails I3, I3 and I8, the lower faces of the two side rails may come into flush superposed Irelation and movable `side rail I8 may come into flush superposed relation with the outer side rail I3 of the section Il! when the two sections I0 and II are folded back to back into box-like condition.

The table may be supported by any suitable trestle which, preferably, may be hingedly secured to the inner sides of the sections Ii) and II, as disclosed in Figure 2 where a part of a supporting leg is shown at 21 pivotally secured at 28 to an angle portion 29 of the cleat 20 and so disposed that it will fold against the inner or lower side of the table-section whenthe table is folded into box-like form.

In Figure 4, I show a modified form in so far as the outer side rail and the method of locking the trimming strip are concerned. In this form, the removable trimming strip IBR, instead of being beaded along its longitudinal edges as in Figure 2, is provided with longitudinaly grooves to receive the tongue or bead on the edge of main board I5, while the groove at the outer longitudinal side is intended to receive the round headed plug or screw 30 which preferably is threaded into a ferrule or screw threaded opening in the side rail ISa, as shown at 3|; the outer end of the plug or screw 35 being provided with a screw-driver receiving slit. In order to maintain the trimming strip in secure position, it willl be understood that a number of screw plugs 30 are employed at intervals spaced lengthwisely of the outer side rail Ia. The side rail I8a in this instance may be permanently secured to the end rails; and the tops of both table sections, if desired, may be provided with the reenforcing cleats 25 (either metal or wood) suitably secured to the lower sides of the tops, as byscrews, except for the trimming strip which is loosely supported by the cleats. The trimming strip I6@ may be easily removed by backing up the plugs or screws 30 sufficiently to withdraw the heads of the screws 39 from the outerlongitudinal groove trimming and therefore, in order to reduce the cost merely one section need be provided with a removable trimming strip of grainless material; the construction and method of securing the removable trimming strip, if one is employed in both sections, being similar in both instances. The tops of both sections are intended to be disposed in the same horizontal plane when the boxtable is in set-up condition and the opened-out box-table may be supported on any suitable independent trestle, it being preferable, however, to have the trestle or supporting standard hingedly secured to the lower side of both sections as exemplified by the angle 29 secured to certain of the cleats Zwith the legs 21 of the trestle or standard hinged at 28 to the angle 23 so as to permit the legs 21 to fold lengthwisely beneath the tops and be disposed in the compartment formed by the superposed rails of both sections when the latter are folded back-to-back.

In Figures to '1, I illustrate another modication devised to meet present economical conditions and eliminating the metal cleats.

The box-table, as shown in Figure 5, consists of the two sections Illa, Ila of desired width and length. The section illa comprises a top I2a shown glued or otherwise securely fastened on top of the frame rails 32 which are disposed throughout the longitudinal edges and ends of the top I2a and are of equal vertical depth; while the section lla involves a non-movable top portion 33 which terminates a predetermined distance from the outer side rail of the supporting frame of this section. The top portion 33 may consist of plywood or thinner board than the top portion l5 of the table shown in Figure 2 and has its outer longitudinal edge beveled as shown at 34; the top portion 33 being glued or otherwise permanently secured on top of the inner side rail 32 (of the same dimensions as the side rails 32 of section I Ga) and on the end rails which also are similar to those employed for section ma.

The outer side rail of this modification is shown as preferably consisting of an inner rail member 35, of less depth than the rails 32, and of an outer rail 36 of somewhat greater depth; the two members being intimately glued or secured together.

The remainder of the top of section l la consists of a trimming board or strip 31, of somewhat greater thickness than the top portion 33, and with its longitudinal edges ker-fed at an angle, as shown at 3B, to correspond with the beveled edge 34 of top portion 33; the kerfs 38 at opposite edges being cut from opposite sides of the board or trimming strip 31 and are made to provide the longitudinal tongues 33.

In view of the added thickness of the strip 31, the two end rails of the frame 32 are cut away or reduced in depth at the outer ends as at 40 to an extent corresponding with the thickness of the tongues 39 of the strip 31, and to the top of the side rail member 35; the cutouts 43 in both end rails extending from the outer longitudinal edge of the section Ila to a point slightly beyond the beveled edge 34 of the top portion 33 so as to receive the tongue 39 and thereby lock the inner longitudinal edge of the trimming strip 31 in place. As the other tongue 39 at the outer edge of strip 31 extends from the upper side of the strip, it is made to rest on the outer rail member 36, as shown in Figure 6, while the bottom of the strip 31 rests on the rail member 35.

The outer longitudinal side of strip 31 is shown secured in place by removable screws 4l vwhich pass through the prearranged holes 42 in the comparatively thick rail member 35; the ends of the screws 4I screwing part way into the thick portion of the trimming strip.

In this construction, the trimming strip 31, upon withdrawal of the screws 4l, may be easily reversed to present the lower face upwardly after the instant top face has become too scored for further accurate trimming; the reversing of the strip 31 being accomplished by lifting its outer longitudinal edge upwardly as shown in Figure 7.

The two sections I!)ad and Il of the box-table shown in Figures 5 to 7 are hingedly connected together by a suitable number of hinges 43 which preferably are arranged in grooves cut in the inner or adjacent side rails 32 of the two sections so as to permit the rails of the two sections to be flush with each other when the sections are folded back-to-back.

The exemplilcations are believed to be the simplest and best embodiments of the invention, but certain structural modications may be made, however, without departing from the spirit of the invention as dened in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A paperhangers folding box-table composed of two sections hingedly connected at their adjacent longitudinal sides to permit folding into back-to-back relation and be disposed in the same horizontal plane when in opened-up condition, the sections comprising top boards and surrounding frame forming rails extending beneath the top boards, to which the latter are secured, so that the rails of one section will be superposed on the rails of the other section when in back-to-back relation to provide an implement holding compartment; the top of at least one section involving an immovably secured board at the inner longitudinal side of said section and a reversible self-sustaining trimming strip constituting the outer longitudinal portion of the top of said section, said strip being arranged in the plane of the immovably secured board and both longitudinal edges of said strip having predetermined uniform oi-set surfaces adapted to effect interengaging relation with the outer longitudinal edge of the immovable board of said section, the outside rail of said section being formed to engage the outer longitudinal edge of said trimming strip and thereby hold the trimming strip against horizontal movement and in interengaging relation with the immovable board; and adjustable means carried by said outside rail, adapted to engage said trimming strip for removably holding the latter in place against vertical movement.

2. A paperhangers folding box-table composed of two elongated sections arranged parallel with each other and hingedly connected together at their adjacent longitudinal sides to permit folding into back-to-back relation; a rectangular frame arranged adjacent the edges of each section and extending beneath the tops of the sections whereby the tops of the sections are supported and the frame of one section adapted to be superposed on the frame of the other section when the sections are folded back-to-back to provide an implement holding compartment therebetween; the top of one section involving an immovable portion secured at its inner 1ongtudinal edge and at its ends to the frame and a reversible self-sustaining trimming strip constituting the outer longitudinal side of said sec-A tion and arranged in the same horizontal plane as said immovable portion, both longitudinal edges of said strip having similar recesses adapted to effect interengaging relation with the adjacent longitudinal edge of the immovable portion; the outer longitudinal side frame member of said section being formed to engage thevouter longitudinal edge of said strip to hold the latter in interengaging relation with the immovable portion; and screw means carried by said outer side frame member adapted to engage said trimming strip to removably secure the latter in place.

3. A paperhangers folding box-table composed of two sections hingedly connected together to permit back-to-back folding, the sections consisting of top boards and surrounding framerails secured to the edges of the top boards so as to extend therebeneath to permit the rails of one section to be superposed on the rails of the other section to provide a compartment between the sections, the top of at least one section consisting of an immovably secured board at the hinged side of said section and va selfsustaining reversible trimming strip of grainless material arranged at the outer longitudinal side in the horizontal .plane of said section, both longitudinal edges of said strip being provided with similar recesses formed to effect interlocking engagement with the adjacent edge of the immovable board, the ends of said strip being supported by the frame end rails; and adjustable means' carried by the outer side rail of said section and adapted to engage in the recess of the adjacent longitudinal edge of said strip to removably secure the latter in place.

` FRED E. EDGREN. 

